CHAMBORD THEN, NOW AND FOREVER

Cinemavixion Review

Laurent Charbonnier's "Chambord Then, Now and Forever" transports viewers to the heart of France's Loire Valley, chronicling the magnificent Château de Chambord's enduring legacy. From its ambitious 16th-century origins under King François I, the documentary meticulously traces the palace's evolution through pivotal historical moments, touching upon its association with luminaries like Leonardo da Vinci and Louis XIV. Beyond the architectural grandeur and the echoes of revolution and war, the film unveils a parallel narrative: the vast, verdant parkland surrounding the château. This expansive domain, comparable in size to Paris itself, is presented as a sanctuary for exceptional wildlife, thriving in natural harmony. Charbonnier masterfully juxtaposes the human endeavor of constructing an iconic monument with the timeless rhythms of the natural world, revealing Chambord as a place where history and untamed nature converge.